How To Treat Swollen Fingers Quickly

You are always using your fingers to perform one task or another. Ever wondered what would happen to you if they swell?

Swelling of fingers can bring a great deal of discomfort in your life. It will not only cause you pain but will not let you do any of your chores properly.

How do fingers swell? A lot of reasons can be held accountable for it. The most common cause of swelling seen in fingers is inflammation. It may also occur due to a fluid buildup in the fingers.

Now, the next question could be, why does it even occur?

Your fingers can swell due to a simple insect bite or a rash. Sometimes, a sprain can cause them to swell up or an infection does the duty.

Remember that your fingers are even liable to swelling due to an imbalance in the hormones, a very high temperature or even consumption of too much salt.

In some cases, the swelling can be a mere manifestation of an underlying problem related to the health. These problems may include carpel tunnel syndrome. Bursitis, ganglion cyst, cellulitis, osteoarthritis, fungal infection and rheumatoid arthritis, to name a few.

Apart from swelling, you can also see redness and small lumps around the affected fingers. There may be a feeling of fatigue, tingling or numbness. The joins also swell and become stiff, making it difficult for you to move them.

Most of the time, swelling of fingers is mild and heals itself. However, it can cause discomfort to you. To avoid this feeling of discomfort, you can use a few home remedies.

Keep in mind that if the swelling persists for long along with severe pain and fever, consult your doctor as soon as possible.

Perform Contrast Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is extremely useful for getting rid of swollen fingers. For this purpose, you can use both warm and cold water. Using warm water can enhance the circulation of blood in your fingers, on the other hand, cold water is what will actually help you in getting rid of inflammation and swelling.

Take two small bowls and fill them with cold and hot water.

Completely soak the inflamed fingers for 3to 4 minutes in hot water.

Now, place the fingers in the bowl containing cold water for a minute.

Continue repeating the two steps alternatively for 20 minutes.

Repeat this therapy several times every day until you start feeling better.

Massage Your Fingers

Massaging your fingers can also relieve swelling in many cases. It can relax the tensed muscles and stimulate them to improve circulation. A massage can also drain the excess fluid buildup from the fingers which might be causing swelling.

Heat up a small quantity of olive oil in a microwave.

Apply some of this hot oil onto the affected finger.

Use your forefinger and thumb to massage the affected finger of the other hand in a gentle way.

Keep massaging for almost 5 minutes.

Keep repeating it a few times a day.

Remember that if massaging the finger is actually causing you more pain, consult a doctor immediately.

Perform A Finger Exercise

Exercising the swollen fingers can be really helpful if the main cause of the inflammation is a strain, poor blood circulation or fluid retention.

Exercising will naturally increase the flow of blood towards the affected area of the finger. This will create a pressure and force the excessive fluid to move out. Any strain in the muscles can also be gotten rid of using simple exercising steps.

One of the most common and easiest exercises to perform in this regard is flexing your fingers.

Remove any kind of finger accessory prior to performing the exercise.

Close all of your fingers to form a fist and keep it in this position for about one minute.

Now slowly start opening the fist and try to full stretch out your fingers.

Repeat this cycle for a few times.

Don’t forget to perform this exercise repeatedly.

If you don’t want to perform flexing, try hand squeezes by using a rubber stress ball of a simple tennis ball.

Apply Compression

Compress your hand and wrist to stop the fingers from the accumulation of fluid within the fingers. Compression of the hands will not only help in overcoming inflammation but can also reduce the pain factor.

How can you compress your hand?

Try using an elastic bandage or an ace wrap. Wrap the bandage with equal pressure around the hand. Make sure that it covers up your palm as well. Keep it on for the rest of the day until you feel that the swelling has reduced. Remove it before going to sleep.

Take care not to wrap it too tight otherwise, it can even reduce the circulation of your hands.

If you don’t want to use a bandage, try fingerless compression gloves.

Use Turmeric

Why should you use turmeric to treat swollen fingers, you say? It is because turmeric has certain constituents like curcumin, that are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant in nature.

Due to these components, turmeric can treat ailments like muscle sprains, arthritis and several injuries that might lead to swelling of fingers.

According to a study published in Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease in 2012, it was proven that turmeric possesses properties that can help in the management of mobility and pain.

For using turmeric, mix half a teaspoon of its powdered form in a small quantity of olive oil.

Apply this paste on the affected finger.

Let it stand until the paste completely dries.

Rinse off the dried paste with the help of lukewarm water.

Repeat the process two times daily for treating swollen fingers.

You can also consult a doctor if you are interested in taking curcumin supplements.

Get Epsom Salt

How does Epsom salt treat swollen fingers? By the virtue of magnesium sulfate present in its composition.

Inflammation in any part of the body can deprive it of magnesium. Hence, when Epsom salt is applied on the affected area, the body replenishes itself and starts to fight off inflammation.